Judge adds eight years to murder conviction

June 25, 2008

Freedom New Mexico

A man convicted of second-degree murder for the shooting death of a 10-year-old Clovis boy will serve 24 years in prison after a judge added eight years to his sentence Wednesday, according to the district attorney’s office.

During a bench trial to evaluate sentencing, District Judge Teddy Hartley enhanced the sentence of David Griego based on prior felony convictions, a press release said.

“The District Attorney’s Office (argued) to the Court that Griego has been convicted of three prior felonies within the past ten years and should be tagged as a “habitual criminal and a violent repeat offender,” the release said.

In January, Griego, 31, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.

Police have said Sept. 14, 2005, Griego and three others shot into the window of a bedroom where Carlos Perez slept.

Perez died when a bullet struck him in the head.

Others in the case:

• Edward Salas, 24, was convicted in April and is scheduled to be sentenced July 15 for his role in the child’s death. He could face life in prison. He was convicted of first-degree murder, shooting at a dwelling or occupied building, bribery or intimidation of a witness, conspiracy to commit a first-degree felony and conspiracy to shooting at a dwelling or occupied building.